Storage medium, communication terminal, and display method

ABSTRACT

An exemplary group selection screen shows groups in which users share a message, so that any of the groups is selectable. In an avatar display area (Ar 12 ) for each group, avatars (Av 1 ) of not more than five users belonging to a group, who have recently posted a message, are displayed. An arrangement of the avatars (Av 1 ) is determined based on a posting time and date of a latest message posted by each user represented by an avatar (Av 1 ). In an avatar display area (Ar 12 ), a message included in a balloon is displayed, which message has been posted by a user represented by a displayed avatar (Av 1 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-21208, filed onFeb. 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The exemplary embodiment relates to a technique for enabling users toexchange messages.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Known in the art is an instant messenger, which is an application thatenables users to perform real-time communication via a network.

An exemplary embodiment provides a non-transitory storage medium storinga program for causing a computer to execute a process, the processincluding: causing a display unit to display a list of groups, each ofthe groups including users that share a message, the list showingmessage information for each of the groups, the message informationindicating a message posted in a group, the message satisfying apredetermined condition, or indicating a user who has posted themessage; accepting a selection of one of the groups included in the listdisplayed on the display unit; and causing, in response to the selectionof a group, the display unit to display at least part of messages sharedin the group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration of communication system 1.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of communicationterminal 10.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a hardware configuration of server device 20.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional configuration for displaying amessage.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a group selection screen.

FIG. 6 shows an example of transition of messages displayed in avatardisplay area Ar12.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show an example of transition of group selection screens.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a message display screen.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a functional configuration for creating andexchanging a message.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a frame image creation screen.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a message display screen.

FIG. 12 shows an example of an operation of communication system 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 1. ExemplaryEmbodiment 1-1. Hardware Configuration 1-1-1. Communication System 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration ofcommunication system 1 of an exemplary embodiment. Communication system1 includes plural communication terminals 10-1 to 10-n and server device20. Communication terminals 10-1 to 10-n are coupled with server device20 via network 30. Communication terminals 10-1 to 10-n will behereinafter referred to as “communication terminal 10” except where itis necessary to specify otherwise. Network 30 includes, for example, amobile telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), or theInternet. Communication system 1 provides users of communicationterminals 10 with a messaging service, or specifically an instantmessaging service, which enables communication terminals 10 to exchangemessages. 1-1-2. Communication Terminal 10

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof communication terminal 10. Communication terminal 10 is a computerdevice such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a game machine.Communication terminal 10 may be a stationary computer device.Communication terminal 10 exchanges a message with another communicationterminal 10 via server device 20 and network 30.

Communication terminal 10 includes control unit 11, storage unit 12,touch screen unit 13, and communication unit 14, as shown in FIG. 2.Control unit 11 includes a processing unit such as a central processingunit (CPU), and a memory. A CPU controls components of communicationterminal 10 by executing a program stored in the memory or storage unit12.

Storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a flash memory or a harddisk. Storage unit 12 stores programs executed by a CPU and varioustypes of data. Storage unit 12 stores message application 121 inparticular, which is a program for displaying, creating, exchanging, andmanaging messages. Functions of message application 121 will bedescribed later.

Storage unit 12 also stores message database 122, which stores data onmessages exchanged using message application 121. The term “database”will hereinafter be referred to as “DB.” Message DB 122 stores receivedmessage data and sent message data. Each item of received message dataincludes, for example, a sender user ID, a receipt time and date, amessage body, a group ID, and a background image ID. Each item of sentmessage data includes, for example, a receiver user ID, a transmissiontime and date, a message body, a group ID, and a background image ID.

Storage unit 12 also stores friend information DB 123, which stores dataon friends of a user of communication terminal 10. A “friend” as usedherein refers to a communication partner of a user of communicationterminal 10. A friend may be, for example, a user of anothercommunication terminal 10, who has performed a predetermined approvalprocedure in relation to a user of communication terminal 10. Thepredetermined approval procedure, for example, may be performed asfollows: a user sends a friend request to another user; and the otheruser approves the friend request. Data on each friend stored in friendinformation DB 123 may include, for example, a user ID, a user name,profile information, and avatar data. A user name is identificationinformation for identifying a user; specifically, a communicationaddress such as a mail address or a telephone number.

An avatar is an image of a character displayed as a user's alter ego ina virtual space created on a computer network or in a game. A charactershown in an avatar is characterized mainly by its face, hairstyle, haircolor, body shape, skin color, clothes, and accessories, whichcharacteristics differentiate one avatar from another. A character shownin an avatar may have an appearance of a human or of any entity that canbe used as a user's alter ego, other than a human, such as an animal ora robot.

An avatar may be a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image.An avatar may be a still image or an animated image. An avatar may becreated by a user using an application, or may be selected by a userfrom among candidates pre-stored in storage unit 12. Avatar data of auser of communication terminal 10 is stored in storage unit 12.

Storage unit 12 also stores group information DB 124, which stores dataon groups formed by one or more friends. A “group” as used herein refersto a community in which plural friends share a message simultaneously. Agroup may be, for example, formed through the following procedure: auser invites a friend user to a group; and the friend user accepts theinvitation. A group may be formed by two friends including a user ofcommunication terminal 10. Data of each group stored in groupinformation DB 124 includes, for example, a group ID, a group name, anduser IDs of users forming a group.

Storage unit 12 also stores background image DB 125, which stores dataon background images used in exchanging a message. A “background image”as used herein refers to an image constituting a frame image, describedlater, on which a message and an avatar are superimposed. In abackground image, a balloon is displayed, which is an area in which amessage is superimposed. A background image may be a still image or ananimated image. Data relevant to each background image stored inbackground image DB 125 includes, for example, a background image ID,background image data, and display control data. “Display control data”as used herein refers to data defining a method by which an avatar isdisplayed in a background image. Display control data is, specifically,data defining a feature of an avatar shown in a background image, suchas a position, a facial expression, an action, clothes, or accessories.

Touch screen unit 13 includes a display panel and a touch sensordisposed on the display panel. The display panel is, for example, aliquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.The touch sensor is, for example, a capacitance-type orresistance-film-type touch sensor. Touch screen unit 13 displays animage under control of control unit 11, and receives an instruction froma user using his/her finger or a stylus.

Communication unit 14 is a communication interface such as a datacommunication card. Communication unit 14 controls data communicationwith server device 20.

1-1-3. Server Device 20

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof server device 20. Server device 20 is an instant message server thatrelays a message between communication terminals 10. Server device 20includes control unit 21, storage unit 22, and communication unit 23, asshown in FIG. 3.

Control unit 21 includes a processing unit such as a CPU, and a memory.A CPU controls components of server device 20 by executing a programstored in the memory or storage unit 22.

Storage unit 22 is a storage device such as a hard disk. Storage unit 22stores programs executed by a CPU and various types of data. Storageunit 22 also stores group information DB 221, which stores data ongroups formed by users of communication terminals 10. Group informationDB 221 collectively stores group data stored in group information DBs221 of communication terminals 10. Each item of group data stored ingroup information DB 221 includes, for example, a group ID, a groupname, and user IDs of users forming a group.

Communication unit 23 is a communication interface such as a datacommunication card. Communication unit 23 controls data communicationwith communication terminal 10.

1-2. Functional Configurations

Functional configurations of communication terminal 10 will bedescribed. Specifically, a functional configuration for displaying amessage and a functional configuration for creating and exchanging amessage will be described. The functions are provided by executingmessage application 121 stored in storage unit 12.

1-2-1. Message Display Function

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration for displaying a message. Execution of message application121 provides screen generating unit 111, display control unit 112,obtaining unit 113, and accepting unit 114, as shown in FIG. 4.

Screen generating unit 111 generates a group selection screen inresponse to initiation of message application 121. The group selectionscreen is a screen showing a list of plural groups, each of whichincludes plural users who share messages. The group selection screenshows message information for each of the plural groups. “Messageinformation” as used herein refers to a message posted in a group, whichsatisfies a predetermined condition, and information indicative of auser who has posted the message. A message may be expressed by an image.A message that satisfies a predetermined condition is, specifically, amessage posted recently or a last posted message. Information indicativeof a user who has posted a message is, specifically, an avatarrepresenting the user. Screen generating unit 111 generates the groupselection screen with reference to message DB 122, friend information DB123, and group information DB 124.

Display control unit 112 causes touch screen unit 13 to display a groupselection screen generated by screen generating unit 111.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a group selection screendisplayed by display control unit 112. The group selection screen shownin FIG. 5 is a home screen of message application 121, which isdisplayed in response to initiation of the application. On the groupselection screen, three groups appear so that any one of the groups isselectable. Each of the groups is displayed in one of group displayareas Ar1, which have a rectangular shape. Group display areas Ar1 arearranged in a vertical direction. Group display areas Ar1 are alsoarranged in a descending order of a posting time and date (in otherwords, a receiving time and date; the same shall apply hereinafter) of alatest message posted in each group. The group selection screen can bevertically scrolled to display preceding or subsequent group displayareas Ar1.

An image showing each of group display areas Ar1 may be atwo-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image. A three-dimensionalimage may be obtained by capturing an image of avatars arranged in avirtual space using a virtual camera. Each of group display areas Ar1includes group information display area Ar11 and avatar display areaAr12. Group information display area Ar11 and avatar display area Ar12each have a substantially rectangular shape. They are stacked in avertical direction. In group information display area Ar11, a groupname, the number of active users, and a latest posting time and date mayappear. In group information display area Ar11 for group A shown in FIG.5, a group name “GROUP A,” the number of active users “0,” and a postingtime and date “3 HRS 38 MINS AGO” appear. The number of active users isthe number of users belonging to a group, who are displaying or creatinga message when a group selection screen is displayed.

In avatar display area Ar12, avatars Av1 of users belonging to a groupare arranged for display in a horizontal direction. Avatars Av1displayed in avatar display area Ar12 are, in particular, avatars of notmore than five users belonging to a group, who have recently posted amessage. Positions of avatars Av1 are determined based on a posting timeand date of a latest message posted by each user represented by anavatar. Specifically, avatar Av1 of a user who has posted a latestmessage is positioned at the left side, avatar Av1 of a user who hasposted a second latest message is positioned at the right side, avatarAv1 of a user who has posted a third latest message is positioned at asecond space from the left, avatar Av1 of a user who has posted a fourthlatest message is positioned at a second space from the right, andavatar Av1 of a user who has posted a fifth latest message is positionedat the center. In short, avatars of users who have posted latestmessages are positioned farthest from the center.

Each of avatars Av1 shows a standing full-faced character. Each ofavatars Av1 is an animated image of a character, whose facial expressionor action changes over time. A type of animation may differ for eachavatar, which may be determined according to a predetermined condition.For example, a type of animation may be determined based on, forexample, a situation of message posting in a group. Specifically, ananimated image showing a sleeping character may be displayed in asituation where no message has been posted in a group for apredetermined time period.

In avatar display area Ar12, also appearing are messages that have beenposted by users represented by displayed avatars Av1. Each message isdisplayed in association with avatar Av1 of a user who has posted themessage. Specifically, each message is displayed near avatar Av1 of auser who has posted the message. More specifically, each message isdisplayed in, for example, an oval balloon, which corresponds to avatarAv1 of a user who has posted the message. Each message is enclosed in aballoon that is indicated as coming from corresponding avatar Av1, whichclarifies an association between the message and avatar Av1. In thegroup selection screen shown in FIG. 5, a message “HELLO!” appears aboveavatars Av1 as a message posted by a user represented by leftmost avatarAv1. A part of a message that cannot be included in a balloon is hidden.

Messages are displayed in a descending order of a posting time and datein a case where plural avatars Av1 are displayed, as in the case ofavatar display area Ar12 for group A shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is adiagram showing an example of transition of messages displayed in avatardisplay area Ar12 for group A shown in FIG. 5. As for group A shown inFIG. 5, messages corresponding respectively to avatars Av1 a, Av1 e, Av1b, Av1 d, and Av1 c are displayed in such an order, since a descendingorder of a posting date and time of a latest message posted by acorresponding user is as follows: avatars Av1 a, Av1 e, Av1 b, Av1 d,and Av1 c. The messages are sequentially displayed at regular intervals.Avatar Av1 of a user, whose message is being displayed, may behighlighted to clarify an association between avatar Av1 and themessage.

The foregoing is a description of a group selection screen.

A group selection screen described in the foregoing enables a user tocheck situations of message posting for plural groups by referring onlyto a single screen. Specifically, the group selection screen enables auser to check, for each group, users who have recently posted a message,and contents of the posted messages.

Obtaining unit 113 obtains a posting notice that reports that a newmessage has been posted in a group registered in group information DB124. The posting notice is sent by server device 20, and obtaining unit113 obtains the posting notice via communication unit 14. Obtaining unit113 may periodically contact server device 20 to check for posting of anew message, instead of merely waiting for a posting notice. The postingnotice sent from server device 20 includes a user ID of a poster, agroup ID, message information, and a background image ID.

When obtaining unit 113 obtains a posting notice while a group selectionscreen is displayed, screen generating unit 111 generates data to updatemessage information displayed for a group, for which a new message hasbeen posted. Specifically, screen generating unit 111 generates a newgroup selection screen. Message information as used herein refers to amessage posted in a group, which satisfies a predetermined condition,and information indicative of a user who has posted the message. Amessage that satisfies a predetermined condition is, specifically, amessage posted recently or a last posted message. Information indicativeof a user who has posted a message is, specifically, an avatarrepresenting the user. To generate a new group selection screen, screengenerating unit 111 identifies an avatar of a poster based on a user IDincluded in the posting notice with reference to friend information DB123.

Screen generating unit 111 may generate data to update messageinformation displayed for a group, for which a new message has beenposted, when obtaining unit 113 obtains a posting notice while a messagedisplay screen (described later), instead of a group selection screen,is displayed.

Display control unit 112 updates a group selection screen currentlydisplayed on touch screen unit 13 with a new group selection screengenerated by screen generating unit 111. Display control unit 112 maycarry out the update in real-time, without waiting for a user'sinstruction. Display control unit 112 may carry out an updaterepeatedly.

Display control unit 112, when obtaining unit 113 obtains a postingnotice while a message display screen is displayed, may display a newgroup selection screen generated by screen generating unit 111 at thetop of a message display screen currently displayed on touch screen unit13. When doing so, display control unit 112 may temporarily display onlyan image of avatar display area Ar12 included in the new group selectionscreen, which corresponds to a group for which a new message has beenposted.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show an example of transition of group selection screens,which is performed in response to posting of a new message duringdisplay of a group selection screen. FIGS. 7A to 7C show transition ofavatar display area Ar12 for group A in particular, which is included inthe group selection screen shown in FIG. 5. The transition of groupselection screens shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C is performed when a newmessage is posted by a user belonging to group A, whose avatar is notdisplayed in avatar display area Ar12.

FIG. 7A shows an image displayed prior to an update of a group selectionscreen. The image shown in FIG. 7A is identical to that of avatardisplay area Ar12 for group A shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7B shows a scene of a screen transition animation displayed whenthe group selection screen is updated. The screen transition animationshows a process of switching avatars Av1, which is performed in responseto posting of a new message. In the process, new avatar Av1 appears inavatar display area Ar12, which represents a user who has posted a newmessage, and avatar Av1 whose corresponding posting time and date isoldest disappears from avatar display area Ar12 among avatars Av1appearing in avatar display area Ar12. In the group selection screenshown in FIG. 7B, new avatar Av1 f, which is to be positioned at theleft side of the screen, appears, and avatar Av1 c disappears.

The screen transition animation also shows a process of relocatingavatars Av1 are in response to posting of a new message. As for avatarsAv1 appearing in avatar display area Ar12, which are not switched, anorder of a posting time and date of a latest message is lowered by onein response to posting of a new message. Accordingly, each of avatarsAv1 is relocated to a position corresponding to its lowered order. Inthe group selection screen shown in FIG. 7B, avatar Av1 a is relocatedto the right end on the screen, avatar Av1 e is relocated to a secondspace from the left, avatar Av1 b is relocated to a second space fromthe right, and avatar Av1 d is relocated to the center.

In the above processes of switching and relocating avatars Av1,characters represented by avatars Av1 are shown to move by running. Thecharacters simultaneously move to a new position, while avoiding hittingeach other. A new character appearing in avatar display area Ar12 entersthe screen from the left side thereof, and a character disappearing fromavatar display area Ar12 exits the screen from the right side thereof.

While the screen transition animation is displayed, display of a messageposted in the group may be omitted. A posting time and date of a latestmessage displayed in group information display area Ar11 is updated to,for example, “JUST NOW” in response to posting of a new message.

FIG. 7C shows an image displayed subsequent to the update of the groupselection screen. In avatar display area Ar12 shown in FIG. 7C, avatarAv1 f, which has been newly added by the above switch, and avatars Av1a, Av1 b, Av1 d, and Av1 e, which have been relocated as describedabove, are displayed. Each of avatars Av1 shows a standing full-facedcharacter. In avatar display area Ar12, messages posted by usersrepresented by displayed avatars Av1 appear. Each of the messages isdisplayed within a balloon, which corresponds to avatar Av1 of a userwho has posted the message. The messages are displayed in a descendingorder of a posting time and date. Specifically, messages correspondingrespectively to avatars Av1 f, Av1 a, Av1 e, Av1 b, and Av1 d aredisplayed in order of avatars Av1 f, Av1 a, Av1 e, Av1 b, and Av1 d. Themessages are sequentially displayed at regular intervals.

The foregoing is a description of transition of a group selectionscreen. It is to be noted that, although FIGS. 7A to 7C show a caseexample where a new message is posted, plural avatars Av1 may beswitched in a case where plural messages are simultaneously posted bydifferent users.

Accepting unit 114 accepts a selection of any one of groups displayed ona group selection screen, via touch screen unit 13. A group is selectedby, for example, tapping group display area Ar1 displayed on touchscreen unit 13. Alternatively, a group may be selected by an inputoperation using an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, or by avocal input operation using a speech recognition technology.

When communication unit 14 accepts a selection of a group, screengenerating unit 111 generates a message display screen that displays atleast part of messages shared in the selected group. When doing so,screen generating unit 111 generates the message display screen withreference to message DB 122, friend information DB 123, and backgroundimage DB 125. Display control unit 112 causes touch screen unit 13 todisplay the message display screen generated by screen generating unit111.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the message display screen.The message display screen shown in FIG. 8 shows group name display areaAr2, message history display area Ar3, background selection fielddisplay button B1, message input field Ar4, and send button B2. Thedisplay components have a substantially rectangular shape. Group namedisplay area Ar2, message history display area Ar3, and message inputfield Ar4 are arranged vertically on the message display screen.Background selection field display button B1 is positioned to the leftof message input field Ar4, and send button B2 is positioned to theright of the same field.

In group name display area Ar2, a name of a group, messages of whichappear on a message display screen, appears horizontally.

In message history display area Ar3, plural frame images F1, each ofwhich shows a message shared in a group, are arranged vertically fordisplay. In message history display area Ar3, frame images F1 arearranged in chronological order; in other words, a timeline of frameimages F1 are displayed. Specifically, frame images F1 are arranged fromthe top in an ascending order of a posting time and date of a messageshown in each frame image F1. Although FIG. 8 shows only two frameimages F1, frame images F1 appearing in message history display area Ar3can be vertically scrolled to display preceding or subsequent frameimages F1. Frame image F1 that initially appears in message historydisplay area Ar3 when a message display screen is displayed, may be, forexample, a message that remains unread by a user, and whose posting timeand date is oldest.

Frame image F1 is an image showing a frame of a cartoon. A frame of acartoon as used herein refers to an area in which a picture showing ascene of a cartoon is recorded. A frame of a cartoon is, typically,surrounded by a rectangular border line. A series of frames of a cartoondescribes a transition of scenes.

Frame image F1 includes message M2, avatar Av2, and background image S1.Avatar Av2 is superimposed on background image S1, and message M2 isinserted into a balloon shown in background image S1. A method by whichavatar Av2 appears in frame image F1 is determined based on displaycontrol data associated with background image S1.

If avatar Av2 constituting frame image F1 is an animated image,selecting the frame image by, for example, tapping the frame imagecauses an animated sequence to be played.

Background selection field display button B1 is a button for orderingtransition to a frame image creation screen (described later).

Message input field Ar4 accepts an input of a message. A selection ofmessage input field Ar4 by, for example, tapping the field causes asoftware keyboard (not shown), or a screen keyboard, to appear at thetop of message history display area Ar3. The software keyboard enables auser to input a message.

Send button B2 is a button for providing an instruction to post acreated frame image.

The foregoing is a description of a message display screen.

A message display screen described in the foregoing enables a user toread messages exchanged in a group as if reading a cartoon strip.

1-2-2. Message Creation and Exchange Function

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration for creating and exchanging a message. Execution ofmessage application 121 provides screen generating unit 111, displaycontrol unit 112, first accepting unit 115, second accepting unit 116,third accepting unit 117, sending unit 118, and receiving unit 119, asshown in FIG. 9.

Screen generating unit 111 generates a frame image creation screen whenbackground selection field display button B1 is selected by, forexample, tapping the button. When doing so, screen generating unit 111generates the frame image creation screen with reference to backgroundimage DB 125.

Display control unit 112 causes touch screen unit 13 to display a frameimage creation screen generated by screen generating unit 111.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the frame image creationscreen displayed by display control unit 112. The frame image creationscreen shown in FIG. 10 shows group name display area Ar2, previewdisplay area Ar5, keyboard button B3, message input field Ar4, sendbutton B2, and background candidate display area Ar6. The displaycomponents have a substantially rectangular shape. Group name displayarea Ar2, preview display area Ar5, message input field Ar4, andbackground candidate display area Ar6 are arranged vertically on theframe image creation screen. Keyboard button B3 is positioned to theleft of message input field Ar4, and send button B2 is positioned to theright of the same field.

In group name display area Ar2, a name of a group appears horizontally,in which created frame image F1 is to be shared.

In preview display area Ar5, a preview of frame image F1 appears. Apreview of frame image F1 is displayed to enable a user to check, priorto posting of the frame image, how the image frame appearing in messagehistory display area Ar3 looks.

A preview of frame image F1 is displayed when background image S1 isselected in background candidate display area Ar6. The preview of frameimage F1 is generated by combining background image S1 with avatar Av2of a user. If background image S1 or avatar Av2, which constitutes theframe image, is an animated image, the animation is shown.

When message M2 is input in message input field Ar4 during display ofthe preview of frame image F1, a preview of frame image F1, into whichmessage M2 has been further mixed, is displayed. The mixture of messageM2 into frame image F1 may be performed on a word-by-word basis whilemessage M2 is being input.

When background image S1 is selected in background candidate displayarea Ar6 after another background image S1 is selected, a preview of newframe image F1 is displayed, which is generated by combining the newlyselected background image with avatar Av2 of a user. In such a case, ifmessage M2 has already been input in message input field Ar4, a previewof frame image F1, to which the message has been further mixed, isgenerated. A position of message M2 in frame image F1 changes dependingon a position of a balloon shown in the selected background image.

Keyboard button B3 is a button for providing an instruction to display asoftware keyboard. When keyboard button B3 is selected by, for example,tapping the button, a software keyboard (not shown) is caused to appear,for example, at the top of background candidate display area Ar6. Thedisplayed software keyboard enables a user to input a message in messageinput field Ar4.

Message input field Ar4 accepts an input of a message.

Send button B2 is a button for providing an instruction to post createdframe image F1.

In background candidate display area Ar6, candidates for backgroundimage S1 appear so that any of the candidates is selectable. Thecandidates for background image S1 are background images registered inbackground image DB 125, which are displayed in background candidatedisplay area Ar6 in a reduced size.

The foregoing is a description of a frame image creation screen.

First accepting unit 115 accepts an input of a message. Specifically,first accepting unit 115 accepts a message input in message input fieldAr4, via touch screen unit 13. First accepting unit 115 outputs messageinformation indicative of the input message to screen generating unit111 and sending unit 118. A message may be input character-by-characterusing a software keyboard, or may be input by selecting one of thecandidates for a message displayed on the screen.

Second accepting unit 116 accepts a selection of an image to beassociated with a message accepted by first accepting unit 115.Specifically, second accepting unit 116 accepts a selection of one ofthe background images displayed in background candidate display areaAr6, via touch screen unit 13. The background image is selected togetherwith the message on a screen, posted together with the message, anddisplayed together with the message. The selected background image maybe an animated image. Second accepting unit 116 outputs imageinformation indicative of the selected background image to screengenerating unit 111 and sending unit 118. The image information is,specifically, a background image ID.

Screen generating unit 111, on obtaining a background image ID outputfrom second accepting unit 116, generates, based on the background imageID, a frame image to be displayed in preview display area Ar5.Specifically, screen generating unit 111 obtains background image dataidentified by the obtained background image ID from background image DB125, to generate a frame image composed of a background imagerepresented by the background image data and an avatar of a user. Amethod by which the avatar appears in the frame image is determinedbased on display control data associated with the background image.Display control unit 112 causes the frame image generated by screengenerating unit 111 to appear in preview display area Ar5. The displayof the frame image is carried out prior to posting of the frame image.

When screen generating unit 111, subsequent to the display of the frameimage, obtains message information output from first accepting unit 115that has accepted an input of a message, screen generating unit 111generates a frame image composed of not only the background image andthe avatar but also the message indicated by the message information.Display control unit 112 causes the frame image to appear in previewdisplay area Ar5. When second accepting unit 116, subsequent to thedisplay of the frame image, accepts a selection of a background imagethat is different from the displayed background image, screen generatingunit 111 generates a new frame image to be displayed in preview displayarea Ar5, based on a background image ID output from second acceptingunit 116. In the frame image, display of the already input message ismaintained.

Third accepting unit 117 accepts a transmission instruction to sendmessage information indicative of a message accepted by first acceptingunit 115, and image information indicative of an image accepted bysecond accepting unit 116, in association with each other. In otherwords, third accepting unit 117 accepts a transmission instruction tosend a set of message information and image information. Third acceptingunit 117, specifically, accepts the transmission instruction through aselection of send button B2 displayed on touch screen unit 13. Sendbutton B2 may be selected by tapping the button, by an input operationusing an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, or by a vocal inputoperation using a speech recognition technology. Send button B2 enablesa user to send a set of message information and image information by asingle action. Third accepting unit 117, on accepting a transmissioninstruction, notifies sending unit 118 of the acceptance of atransmission instruction.

Sending unit 118 sends message information output from first acceptingunit 115 and image information output from second accepting unit 116, toanother communication terminal 10 in association with each other.Specifically, sending unit 118 sends a set of message information andimage information to another communication terminal 10. Alternatively,sending unit 118 sends an item of data including a part corresponding tomessage information and a part corresponding to image information toanother communication terminal 10. Alternatively, sending unit 118 sendsimage information to which message information has been mixed, toanother communication terminal 10. Image information herein refers to,specifically, a background image ID. Sending unit 118, when thirdaccepting unit 117 accepts a transmission instruction, carries out thetransmission by use of communication unit 14. When doing so, sendingunit 118 further sends processing information to another communicationterminal 10, which is used to process a background image identified by abackground image ID. Specifically, sending unit 118 sends processinginformation to another communication terminal 10 in association withmessage information and image information. Processing information hereinrefers to, specifically, information indicative of an avatar of a user.More specifically, processing information is, for example, a user ID.

Processing information may be image data representing a user's avatar.Alternatively, processing information may be a part number indicative ofone of a set of parts constituting a user's avatar, which number differsfor each part, or may be a part ID, which identifies one of preparedcandidates for a part.

After sending unit 118 carries out the transmission, display controlunit 112 causes a frame image appearing in preview display area Ar5 toappear in message history display area Ar3 of a message display screen.FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the message display screendisplayed after sending unit 118 carries out the transmission. Themessage display screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed when send button B2is selected on the above frame image creation screen shown in FIG. 10.On the message display screen shown in FIG. 11, frame image F1 that hasbeen displayed in preview display area Ar5 of the frame image creationscreen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed at the bottom of message historydisplay area Ar3, or in other words below a latest frame image F1displayed in message history display area Ar3.

Receiving unit 119 receives a set of message information and imageinformation from another communication terminal 10 via communicationunit 14. Image information herein refers to, specifically, a backgroundimage ID. Receiving unit 119 also receives processing information fromanother communication terminal 10, which is used to process a backgroundimage identified by a background image ID. Processing information hereinrefers to, specifically, information indicative of an avatar of a userof another communication terminal 10. More specifically, processinginformation is, for example, a user ID.

Screen generating unit 111 generates a frame image composed of a messageindicated by message information received by receiving unit 119 and abackground image identified by a background image ID received byreceiving unit 119. The generated frame image is displayed in messagehistory display area Ar3. When generating the frame image, screengenerating unit 111 processes the background image based on processinginformation received by receiving unit 119. Specifically, screengenerating unit 111 combines the background image with an avatar of auser of another communication terminal 10. When doing so, screengenerating unit 111 processes a facial expression of a character shownin the avatar, based on the background image to which the avatar ismixed. Specifically, screen generating unit 111 processes the facialexpression based on display control data associated with the backgroundimage. Screen generating unit 111 also arranges a message at the top ofthe background image.

Display control unit 112 causes the frame image generated by screengenerating unit 111 to appear in message history display area Ar3. Anexample of the frame image is shown in FIG. 11.

1-3. Operation

An operation of communication system 1 will be described. Specifically,an operation performed in a process where communication terminals 10share a message will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showingan example of an operation of communication system 1. In the followingdescription of the operation, it is assumed that two communicationterminals 10 share a message. Communication terminal 10 that sends amessage will be referred to as “communication terminal 10A” andcommunication terminal 10 that receives a message will be referred to as“communication terminal 10B.” It is to be noted that the number ofcommunication terminals 10 that share a message may be three or more.

When a user of communication terminal 10A selects a background image,inputs a message, and selects send button B2 on a frame image creationscreen illustrated in FIG. 10 (step S1), communication terminal 10Asends posting information including a background image ID indicative ofthe selected background image and message information indicative of theinput message to server device 20 (step S2). The posting informationalso includes a user ID of the user, or a poster, and a group ID of agroup in which the message is shared. After sending the postinginformation, communication terminal 10A displays, in message historydisplay area Ar3, a frame image that has been displayed in previewdisplay area Ar5 when send button B2 has been selected (step S3).

Server device 20, on receiving the posting information, identifiescommunication terminal 10B as a destination of a posting notice based onthe group ID included in the posting information. Specifically, serverdevice 20 identifies communication terminal 10B by identifying a user IDassociated in group information DB 221 with the group ID included in theposting information. Server device 20 sends a posting notice tocommunication terminal 10B (step S4). The posting notice includes themessage information, the background image ID, the user ID of the user ofcommunication terminal 10A, and the group ID.

Communication terminal 10B, on receiving the posting notice, registersinformation on a message included in the posting notice in message DB122 (step S5). Specifically, communication terminal 10B registers theuser ID of the user of communication terminal 10A, a receiving time anddate, the message information, the group ID, and the background image IDin association with each other.

Subsequently, in communication terminal 10B, when message application121 is started and a group is selected on a group selection screen,communication terminal 10B displays a message display screen illustratedin FIG. 11 (step S6). If the group identified by the group ID registeredin step S5 is selected, communication terminal 10B displays, in messagehistory display area Ar3, a message associated with the group ID inmessage DB 122. When doing so, communication terminal 10B combines thebackground image identified by the background image ID with the avatarof the user of communication terminal 10A and the message to generateand display a frame image.

2. Modifications

The above exemplary embodiment may be modified as described below. Twoor more of the following modifications may be combined with each other.

2-1. Modification 1

A group selection screen illustrated in FIG. 5 may be modified asdescribed below. In a group selection screen, a set of a user(s)registered in friend information DB 123 and a user of communicationterminal 10 may be displayed as a group that can be selected. An updateof a group selection screen illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7B may beperformed only when a newly posted message satisfies a predeterminedcondition. For example, a group selection screen may be updated when alevel of importance or urgency of a posted message equals or exceeds apredetermined threshold, or when the message has been posted by apredetermined user. An order of group display areas Ar1 arranged on agroup selection screen may be an ascending order of a registration timeand date at which data on a group has been registered in groupinformation DB 124, or may be an order predetermined by a user.

A user whose avatar is displayed in avatar display area Ar12 may be auser who has posted a message that satisfies a predetermined condition.The message satisfying a predetermined condition may be a message havinga level of importance or urgency that equals or exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, a message that remains unread, or a message whose postingtime and date is within a predetermined time after a group selectionscreen is displayed. Avatars displayed in avatar display area Ar12 maybe arranged from the left or right of the screen in a descending orderof a posting time and date of a latest message posted by a userrepresented by an avatar. In short, avatars may be arranged inchronological order.

The number of users whose avatars are displayed in avatar display areaAr12 may be less than or more than five. In avatar display area Ar12, auser ID, instead of an avatar, may be displayed as informationindicative of a user. In avatar display area Ar12, only one of an avatarand a message may appear. If a space of avatar display area Ar12 allows,messages of plural users may be displayed simultaneously. Display of aballoon that encloses a message may be omitted. Display of a balloonshown in a frame image may be omitted.

2-2. Modification 2

An operation illustrated in FIG. 12 may be modified as described below.Communication terminal 10A may send posting information to server device20, which includes a part or all of avatar data of a user of theterminal, background image data representing a background image selectedby the user, and display control data corresponding to the backgroundimage. Server device 20 may send a posting notice to communicationterminal 10B, which includes the data included in the postinginformation. When doing so, server device 20 may initially send aposting notice to communication terminal 10B, which merely reports thatcommunication terminal 10A has posted a message, and send, in responseto a data request from communication terminal 10B, the data included inthe posting information to the terminal

Communication terminal 10A may send data other than data indicative of abackground image to server device 20, together with message information.For example, communication terminal 10A may send data indicative of animage, picture, or video of a two-dimensional or three-dimensionalobject. Alternatively, communication terminal 10A may send dataindicative of a voice or a vibration pattern.

Server device 20 may send question data indicative of a question tocommunication terminals 10A and 10B to activate communication betweenthe terminals. Each communication terminal 10 displays the questionindicated by the question data in message history display area Ar3 of amessage display screen. Posting of a response to the question by eachuser activates communication between communication terminals 10A and10B.

Whether question data should be sent to communication terminal 10 may beset for each group. A timing at which question data is sent may bedetermined depending on a situation of message posting of a group. Forexample, question data may be sent in a situation where the number ofmessages posted in a group per unit time is equal or smaller than apredetermined threshold.

Messages may be exchanged between communication terminals 10A and 10Bthrough peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, without server device 20.

2-3. Modification 3

A part or all of data stored in storage unit 12 of communicationterminal 10 may be stored in another device on a network such as serverdevice 20. A display device constituting touch screen unit 13 mayseparate from communication terminal 10.

2-4. Modification 4

When a user of communication terminal 10 has posted a frame image thatsatisfies a predetermined condition, a frame image posted thereafter byanother user may be subjected to a predetermined processing before it isdisplayed. For example, when a user of communication terminal 10 hasposted a frame image showing a character who turns off a light, a frameimage posted by another user may be subjected to a processing by whichthe frame image is darkened. When a user has posted a frame imageshowing a fairy who casts a spell, a frame image posted by another usermay be subjected to a processing by which an expression of a messageconstituting the frame image is changed. When a user has posted a frameimage showing a character who squeezes ketchup out of a bottle, a frameimage posted by another user may be subjected to a processing by whichan image of ketchup droplets is added to a face part of an avatarconstituting the frame image. When a user has posted a frame imageshowing a scene of snowstorm, a frame image posted by another user maybe subjected to a processing by which animation showing shivering isadded to an avatar constituting the frame image.

The processing illustrated in the foregoing may be determined based onany of a background image, an avatar, and a message that constitute aposted frame image. A subject of a processing may be any of a backgroundimage, an avatar, and a message that constitute a frame image. A timeperiod for which frame images are subjected to a processing and thenumber of frame images subjected to a processing may be set for eachtype of processing. A processing may be applied in not onlycommunication terminal 10 whose user has posted a frame image thatsatisfies a predetermined condition, but also another communicationterminal 10, which shares the posted frame image.

2-5. Modification 5

Message application 121 stored in storage unit 12 of communicationterminal 10 may be provided to the terminal via a computer-readablestorage medium. The storage medium is, for example, a magnetic storagemedium such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk, an optical storagemedium such as an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Messageapplication 121 may be provided to communication terminal 10 via anetwork such as the Internet.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory storage medium storing a programfor causing a computer to execute a process, the process comprising:causing a display unit to display a list of groups, each of the groupsincluding users that share a message, the list showing messageinformation for each of the groups, the message information indicating amessage posted in a group, the message satisfying a predeterminedcondition, or indicating a user who has posted the message; accepting aselection of one of the groups included in the list displayed on thedisplay unit; and causing, in response to the selection of a group, thedisplay unit to display at least part of messages shared in the group.2. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein thesection of causing the display unit to display the list of groupscomprises repeatedly updating the message information displayed on thedisplay unit.
 3. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 2,wherein: the process further comprises obtaining a posting notice thatreports that a new message has been posted in one of the groups; and thesection of causing the display unit to display the list of groupscomprises updating, in response to obtaining of the posting notice,message information displayed relative to the group in which the newmessage has been posted.
 4. The non-transitory storage medium accordingto claim 1, wherein the section of causing the display unit to displaythe list of groups comprises causing the display unit to display pluralitems of message information for each of the groups in an order ofposting of messages corresponding to message information.
 5. Thenon-transitory storage medium according to claim 4, wherein the sectionof causing the display unit to display the list of groups comprisescausing the display unit to display plural items of message informationfor each of the groups, the plural items of message information beingarranged in the order of posting of messages corresponding to messageinformation.
 6. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1,wherein the section of causing the display unit to display the list ofgroups comprises causing the display unit to display, for each of thegroups, a message that satisfies the predetermined condition andinformation indicative of a user who has posted the message inassociation with each other.
 7. The non-transitory storage mediumaccording to claim 6, wherein the information indicative of a user whohas posted the message that satisfies the predetermined conditioncomprises an avatar representing the user.
 8. The non-transitory storagemedium according to claim 7, wherein the section of causing the displayunit to display the list of groups comprises causing the display unit todisplay the message that satisfies the predetermined condition in aballoon corresponding to the avatar.
 9. The non-transitory storagemedium according to claim 7, wherein the avatar is an animated image.10. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein theavatar is a three-dimensional image.
 11. The non-transitory storagemedium according to claim 7, wherein the section of causing the displayunit to display the list of groups comprises changing the avataraccording to a situation of message posting of a group corresponding tothe avatar.
 12. A communication terminal, comprising: a display controlunit that causes a display unit to display a list of groups, each of thegroups including users that share a message, the list showing messageinformation for each of the groups, the message information indicating amessage posted in a group, the message satisfying a predeterminedcondition, or indicating a user who has posted the message; and anaccepting unit that accepts a selection of one of the groups included inthe list displayed on the display unit, the display control unitcausing, in response to the selection of a group, the display unit todisplay at least part of messages shared in the group.
 13. A displaymethod carried out by a communication terminal, the method comprising:causing a display unit to display a list of groups, each of the groupsincluding users that share a message, the list showing messageinformation for each of the groups, the message information indicating amessage posted in a group, the message satisfying a predeterminedcondition, or indicating a user who has posted the message; accepting aselection of one of the groups included in the list displayed on thedisplay unit; and causing, in response to the selection of a group, thedisplay unit to display at least part of messages shared in the group.14. A non-transitory storage medium storing a program for causing acomputer to execute a process, the process comprising: causing a displayunit to display a list of groups, each of the groups including usersthat share an image, the list showing image information for each of thegroups, the image information indicating an image posted in a group, theimage satisfying a predetermined condition, or indicating a user who hasposted the image; accepting a selection of one of the groups included inthe list displayed on the display unit; and causing, in response to theselection of a group, the display unit to display at least part ofimages shared in the group.